BEEF DRIPPING IS BACK IN THE KITCHEN, BUT IS IT ANY GOOD FOR YOU?
Slathered on a slice of crusty white bread, or drizzled over roast potatoes, beef dripping was once a staple on the British dinner table. A bolster against hunger during the Second World War, it was also a cheap and hearty source of essential fat, carbohydrates and calories.
I’m sure for many reading this, that rich and savoury meal will still evoke fond memories, even though bread and dripping has fallen out of fashion in these more health-conscious days, in place of the nutritionist’s favourite: vegetable and seed oils.
But the great cooking oil debate – and which one is best for our health – was reignited this year, when Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, claimed that seed oils (like rapeseed and sunflower) are “poisoning” us. He believes we should all be using beef dripping instead as it is “healthier” and more traditional.
His rhetoric has made its way across to UK shores. In April, Amy Moring, the founder of food startup Hunter & Gather, said the company had benefited from a 300 per cent increase in sales of beef “tallow” (the US term for dripping) since September. But is RFK Jr’s battle against seed oils scientifically-backed in any way? And should we all be slathering it all over our food like they used to?
What exactly is beef dripping – and how unhealthy is it?
The fatty liquid that drips off a roasting beef joint and collects in the tin is beef dripping in its simplest form. It’s also made by gathering the fat trimmings from a body of beef and heating and rendering them until they melt. The liquid is left to set and solidify and can then be used to coat roast potatoes, fry battered fish, or smother on bread.
“Almost half of the fat is saturated,” says Prof Sarah Berry, the chief scientist at nutrition company Zoe. “In fact, just one tablespoon of beef dripping contains almost one-third of the maximum recommended daily intake of saturated fats.”
Its high saturated fat content is the biggest health red flag for our experts. In a 2024 study by the University of Oxford, participants were put on a diet high in saturated fats for 24 days. The result? The fat in their liver had risen by 20 per cent and their blood cholesterol levels were around 10 per cent higher, all of which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
Yet there’s no escaping that we love our (saturated) fatty food in the UK and it creeps into our diet more than it should. The NHS says people in the UK regularly consume more than than the recommended 20g for women, 30g for men. “The high levels of saturated fats [in beef dripping] mean that consuming it regularly may increase your risk of heart disease,” Prof Berry concludes. Something to think about, perhaps, when we ladle on another spoonful.
However for those now concerned about the calorie and saturated fat content of their meat, its fairly easy to make beef healthier. One gram of fat is worth nine calories which means that diligently trimming just 50g off your cut of beef could save you up to 450 calories. Plus – leaner cuts of beef (such as sirloin) tend to be less fatty anyway, so they’re ideal for those concerned about calories or saturated fat content, but not great for those hoping to harvest some dripping.
On the plus side, there are ways beef fat can be considered healthy.
Three ways beef dripping is good for you
1. It doesn’t contain any artificial trans fats
“This is because artificial trans fats are created through processing”, explains Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a registered specialist dietitian and the author of How Not To Eat Ultra-Processed – and beef fat, quite clearly, comes straight from its source. “It’s quite similar to butter in this respect,” she says.
Artificial trans fats pose significant health risks, with one wide-ranging review finding they can cause a significant increase in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol with a corresponding decrease in HDL (“good”) cholesterol, which can increase heart disease risk. Therefore, the fact that beef dripping doesn’t contain these artificial fats is a big health plus.
2. It contains some useful vitamins and minerals
Beef dripping contains some fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin E, which helps to maintain healthy skin and eyes and vitamin K, which supports blood clotting. However, the amount of these vitamins found in beef dripping are low and, as Ludlam-Raine points out, “if you’re getting a lot of these vitamins from saturated fats, then there’s probably something very wrong with your diet”.
It also contains choline and omega-3 – two essential nutrients which the body cannot make.
3. It has benefits for the skin
For centuries, people have used beef dripping on their skin for its supposed healing power. More recently some celebrities have claimed that by smearing it on their skins it gives them a more youthful appearance.
Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and hair specialist, describes it as a thick occlusive product, similar to Vaseline which “acts as a sealant, preventing water loss from the skin and supporting the skin barrier”. People with dry scaly skin conditions may therefore find it useful as a moisturiser, she explains, with one 2024 study by researchers at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine concluding that it may help skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin and wounds.
However, as it is pure fat, Dr Wong advises those with oily skin and acne avoid it, as it may worsen conditions or cause breakouts. Indeed, the 2024 study also found that topical application of beef fat may increase fatty acid concentration in the skin.
Many believe dripping has anti-ageing powers as it contains fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A which stimulates collagen production – a protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity. However Dr Wong says “this has not been substantiated and beef dripping is unlikely to deliver the same results as a retinol”, which has been specifically formulated for skincare purposes.
Dr Wong says those who use it should apply it once or twice daily, to patches of dry skin, and to choose products from reputable brands which “have clear information regarding the ingredients, sourcing of tallow, and shelf life”.
How does beef dripping compare to other cooking oils?
Because it’s a saturated fat, both Prof Berry and Ludlam-Raine agree that beef dripping is not a healthy option for cooking. Sadly even organic beef dripping is unlikely to be much healthier than the standard variations. “It may have an improved omega-3 to omega-6 ratio but that’s likely to be really minimal, so there aren’t any major nutritional benefits,” Ludlam-Raine says. Prof Berry goes as far to say to the claim that beef dripping is healthier than seed oils is based on “vast quantities of nonsense” and “misinformation”.
It has the advantage of having a high smoke point, which means “it doesn’t go rancid or literally doesn’t smoke at high temperatures,” Ludlam-Raine explains. However, our experts agree that beef dripping should be enjoyed as an occasional treat. Whilst cooking oils that are higher in healthy fats and antioxidants are better for regular cooking.
The healthiest alternatives to beef fat
Extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil takes the top spot when it comes to the healthiest oils to cook with as almost three-quarters of its fat is monounsaturated, which has a range of health benefits:
1. Protects the heart
Monounsaturated fats are vital for lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This “bad” cholesterol raises the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke when concentrations in the blood are too high. A 2022 study in Frontiers in Nutrition found regular consumption of olive oil was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.
2. Supports gut health
Prof Berry says extra virgin olive oil contains healthy bioactive plant compounds, like polyphenols, which support the gut microbiome. These act as a prebiotic and encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful ones, providing a boost to the gut.
3. Boosts the brain
A 2022 study from researchers at Harvard University found that half a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil each day slashed the risk of dying from Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s by 29 per cent and dementia by 28 per cent. Scientists have linked healthy fats to improved cognition as the brain needs these fatty acids for neurotransmitter production.
Rapeseed oil
Rapeseed oil may be better for those on a budget, Ludlam-Raine says, as it’s cheaper than extra virgin olive oil but is still a healthier choice.
“It’s really high in unsaturated fatty acids and has a good ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats,” Ludlam-Raine says. These fatty acids are essential, meaning the body can’t make them so we must get them from our diet. Whilst omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, omega-6 fats tend to promote inflammation which means maintaining a balanced ratio in the body is important for overall health and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
The expert verdict: is beef dripping good for you?
“Although dripping can add delicious flavour to food, it’s something you should enjoy just once in a while as it has no health benefits,” Prof Berry concludes. Ludlam-Raine agrees, and says that those who enjoy it should continue to eat it, but in moderation.
“I’m a big proponent of the 80-20 rule where 80 per cent of the time you eat wholefoods, then 20 per cent of the time you eat your soul foods ie ‘treats’”, Ludlam-Raine says. “If beef dripping is your treat, then that’s fine, but it shouldn’t be an everyday thing and you shouldn’t be convinced into thinking it’s the ‘elixir of life’. The bottom line is that I would never buy it or give it to my family.”
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2025-05-27T10:51:00Z
